ALDOT awarded Scott Bridge Company $167 million to replace the U.S. 82 bridge into Northport. Work starts in early 2027, lasts up to four years and keeps four lanes open.

The Alabama Department of Transportation has awarded a $167 million contract to replace the Woolsey Finnell Bridge, which carries McFarland Boulevard (U.S. 82) across the Black Warrior River between Tuscaloosa and Northport.

Scott Bridge Company was the lowest of three bidders. ALDOT awarded the contract Wednesday, Oct. 14. Gov. Kay Ivey announced it the next day in a news release from the governor’s office.

Construction is expected to start in early 2027 and could take up to four years.

What the contract covers

The work runs for about 1.5 miles, from near Rice Mine Road to the ramps at the University Boulevard interchange. According to the governor’s release, it includes:

  • a new bridge over the Black Warrior River with six lanes, replacing today’s four
  • a new bridge over Campus Drive
  • wider McFarland Boulevard, with added travel lanes
  • a shared-use path across the river for people walking and biking

About 50,000 vehicles use the corridor every day, the release said.

ALDOT’s project website says McFarland Boulevard and the Woolsey Finnell Bridge were completed in 1961. The site describes the new bridge as an eight-lane structure designed for future traffic, while the governor’s release describes six lanes. This story uses the figure in the governor’s release.

Who is paying

A large share of the money comes from a $100 million earmark in the 2023 federal omnibus spending bill. Former U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby secured it, the governor’s office said.

“Today, we set in motion plans to construct a modern six lane bridge with accommodations for pedestrian and bicycle traffic,” Ivey said in the release.

“Replacing the aging bridges and adding capacity will keep traffic moving safely and reliably for decades to come,” said Wallace McAdory III, ALDOT’s West Central Region engineer.

What it means for you

  • The bridge stays open. The contractor must keep two lanes open in each direction on U.S. 82 during construction, according to the release.
  • Nothing changes yet. Work is not expected to begin until early 2027. ALDOT said it will announce the schedule, traffic plans and public outreach as the project moves forward.
  • Expect a long job. At up to four years, the work could run into 2031.
  • Sign up for alerts. The project website offers text and email alerts and posts traffic and construction updates. ALDOT’s ALGO Traffic map shows current lane closures on state routes.

Northport, about four miles north, sits at the other end of the bridge.

For other closures in the city, see our road construction and closures page and getting around Tuscaloosa.